How to Make an Interior Unique: Tips from Professionals

Professionals from the DSGN HUB studio designed a design project for a three-room apartment with an area of nearly 100 square meters for the client who loves spacious, bright interiors filled with air. We asked designer Nina Voynova what is needed to make the interior not only functional but also stylish.

Nina Voynova - Expert, Interior Designer and Co-founder of DSGN HUB Studio

Plan the Layout

Uniqueness of a space starts with its layout. When working on it, we always rely on two factors: the client's needs and the geometry of the room.

In this project, we had a long and narrow living room. We wanted to bring it closer to more regular shapes - this would add coziness. We combined the kitchen and living room, and made the length of the room more square-like by using a cube covered with wooden panels, where the closet and laundry room were hidden.

When planning the room for the client's son, we had to consider that he needs a large desk but doesn't want to sit with his back to the door. This led to an unusual composition with shelves and an integrated desk.

Set the Mood

It is important to find your source of inspiration when creating an interior. Once this stage is complete, work becomes easier and more interesting. A mood board is used to collect the concept - not a specific interior but an atmosphere that sets the color palette and mood. This can be anything, as long as it is associated with the owner's wishes or lifestyle.

The client wanted the interior to be spacious, fresh, bright, with lots of air. Essentially, this apartment was supposed to become a personal island where there is always "good weather," and the owner can switch off and relax after work.

These were the inspirations for a collection of warm country styles, sandy tones, marble and hotel-style interiors. A trip, especially to islands, is always a way to escape reality. The grandeur of natural materials was added through brass - the idea came from the client herself. On our first meeting, she was wearing a very striking gold jacket.

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Learn more about the client. Or consider your own needs

The room where the client's son currently lives is poorly adapted to his needs, and there is not enough storage space. For example, books are stored in boxes on the desk.

We provided a spacious wardrobe and a bookshelf system with plenty of lighting in his bedroom. There was also a request for a small refrigerator in the room. We hid it inside the wardrobe. The lighting near the bed was implemented using a panel behind which built-in lights are hidden. They are easy to turn on when sitting at the computer or before sleep.

Pay Attention to Details

Details play a big role in the uniqueness of an interior. The bedroom opens to a beautiful view of Moscow River, so we used this and created a relaxation zone on the windowsill - there is a cozy sofa with a small mobile table that can also serve as a bedside table if moved closer to the left side.

The client bought the apartment for herself, and her son did not plan to live there permanently, so we decided to add feminine elements to the interior - soft and rounded. This theme is repeated in the lighting fixtures, rounded mirrors, and also in the wall panel in the living room. The wall panel will be custom-made based on our sketches.

Consider Habits

A unique interior is a space tailored specifically for you, and thus it should take into account your habits. For example, how you usually dry clothes: on a towel rack, on a folding line, or in a dryer - and small details like whether you have a bathrobe. If yes, there should be a special place for it in the bathroom.

In our case, it was important to set up a separate laundry room and a large closet in the bedroom. Also, the client likes to sit for a cup of coffee in the morning. You can find solitude in the bedroom on the sofa by the window or sit at the kitchen island in the living room.